Thanks to Larry Pennuto for bringing out an extra temp basket. When I called him at 8:30am, it was obvious I woke him up. And yet, a short time later, he was walking up with the rest of the basket I needed. Thanks for the extra effort Larry!

I'd also like to thank Nugget, Joe, Brandon, and my team for helping me unload, setup, break down, and load the car. Jobs that are often taken for granted, but with my bad back, they are greatly appreciated!

To everyone else that offered a kind word or a lending hand, thank you!

Just another quick thank you to Frank and Ellen for saving the tournament!

The course looked great, and the weather held out for us. All in all it was a beautiful day! Frank stopped by for a bit and we had a nice conversation. Too bad you weren't there to hear the roar of applause for you and Ellen at the players meeting Frank. It was enthusiastic to say the least.

I'd also like to thank my team: Cory Clements, Jason Riley, Jon Boster, and Kaylee Barbosa. I know I can count on each and every one of them. Without them, I couldn't run the tournaments smoothly.

A HUGE thank you goes out to Frank Grimes and Ellen Macuiba (of the Channahon Park District) for their help saving my Shot Down in Flames tournament. My permit at Shorewood was denied today.....two days before the tournament.

When I called Frank to ask if I could move it to Channahon, he didn't hesitate. I know this creates some extra work for you Frank, and you were probably switching gears in your head as I was asking you for the favor. Yet, you didn't hesitate to save my butt. A heaping helping of gratitude from me Frank. I owe you. I told Ellen, and I'll tell you when I see you......I'd like to pay back the favor. If you need something for the course, please let me know. It could be a new basket, or something as simple as some dirt and cement. Whatever it is, there will come a time you want to do something and no one will provide the funds. Please come see me and let me repay this favor.

And when I spoke to Ellen, she was a total class act. Had me set up within a few minutes with a pavillion on the hill. So again, a HUGE thanks from me for helping me out and making this tournament possible. I really do appreciate it and I'm sure all the players do to.

I have big news........HUGE news. Frankly, you're not going to believe it.

The Village of Shorewood denied my park permit today.

I want to give a HUGE thanks to Frank Grimes and Ellen Macuiba at the Channahon Park District for saving this tournament and allowing me to move it over to Channahon. Frank, as always, a huge thank you from me for switching gears and allowing me to put the tournament at Channy. I know this creates some work for you that you weren't counting on, and you were a class act when I called you to ask the favor. Ellen, I can't tell you how much of a relief it was when you agreed to give me the permit for Channy. Both of you save me, and my tournament, and I won't forget it!

Sorry, I was skipping the text in the middle and I truncated that part too. Of course I recognized that you were thanking my team as well, but I wanted to say a little bit about each team member.

Frank does great work. Just sat on the bench for 16 last night......ahhhhhhh. Nice to relax after that long walk (back and forth across the fairways.....my throws weren't so good last night. Lol) I am amazed at how much work Frank finds time to do at Channahon. There is no way I could keep up with this guy.

So many people do the work for us. It's hard to mention them all in a post. But I do remember them always. Frank, Gary, Jesse, Darrin, Jason & Jason, Dean, Ray, Mike......the list could go on and on. Keep up the good work guys!

I know it's been almost a month since this tournament finished, but I saw this post on another board, and after responding, I really wanted to share it here as well.

"Originally Posted by surgeflx87 Also I love all the work you do with these tourneys partick. Including getting the scores up the same night."

My response:

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the compliment.

I do try to run a great tournament. There is a lot of work, and there is always something that falls thru the cracks, or that I feel I/we could have done better. The more help I get, the easier it is to run a great tournament. So, I would be remiss here if I took all the credit. First Flights team was:

Mike Kursell: Did all the great artwork for the tourney, including, but not limited to: Tourney stamp for the glo Destroyers and Firebirds, Poster artwork and printing, custom scorecard for FF/Highland Park, fantastic trophies made from scratch. Seemed like whenever something needed to be done in preparation, Mike was there asking me if he could do it. He also made the logo for my shop and tweaked that artwork for T-shirts for the grand opening. Almost all of those things are beyond my skill level.

Jon Boster: Always there to help me, no matter what I need. Can't say enough about this guy. He helps me at the shop. He helps me at tournaments. I know he's my sponsored Pro, but he gives as good as he gets and then some.

Cory Clements: I can always depend on Cory to be there tournament day to help with Pre-reg, check-in, and whatever needs to be done thru the day. In a word, Cory is dependable. Sounds boring doesn't it? But, I don't have to worry about him showing up. That is priceless!

Jason Riley: I turned around at one of my tournaments last year to find Jason helping with the scoreboard. He's been my official keeper of the leaderboard ever since. One more thing I don't have to worry about!

That's my team. They deserve a lot of kudos for helping me out and making my job easier. If I forgot anyone, just kick me next time you see me. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to thank them once again!

Please note that there are a lot of other people who also make my tournaments (and everyone else's possible.) I'm talking about the J-town crew, Frank Grimes, Gary Lewis, and countless other volunteers who install, improve, and do upkeep on all our courses. Thanks to everyone who helps out in their own way.

I think I put it that way because we are polar opposites politically. Or at least, I thought so until I saw this post. Little did I know you were a closet Liberal!

Just kidding Frank. Seriously, every American should be for personal freedom as long as it doesn't harm others. Smoking outside? I find it hard to make a strong argument for a ban on smoking. Cigarette butts are a huge nuisance......I hate them. But, I don't have a problem with smoking them, just leaving them everywhere. And we have a rule against that already.

Lest it get lost in the shuffle, there is a very good reason for the ban in San Diego. Forest fires are serious business, and banning smoking for that reason is something I fully support. But when you add the ban for the New York event, it becomes a completely different discussion.

Speaking of turning Liberal Frank, should I add your email to the MoveOn list? You'll get some great political emails that are sure to make you "chuckle."

As far as it bothering other players, I believe it is common courtesy at tournaments to ask your fellow players before lighting up. That, in itself, should be enough without making a rule against it.

I'm with Frank on this one. While I won't be affected by the ban, I am all for protecting personal freedoms. I see this as a slippery slope leading to a more uptight sport.............which basically takes away everything I like about playing.

Just one man's opinion, and I certainly won't slam anyone who believes otherwise.....